An unexpected guilty pleasure! Pooles book becomes a tired screed against those whose political-social viewpoints are antithetic to his own. Emily Dickinson Poems Seven of our Favorites! Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. The second edition of Monsters leads readers deeper into Americas tangled past to show how monsters continue to haunt contemporary American ideology. However, this book was not only as easy read, but incredibly enlightening, eye-opening, and thrilling. Steves lawyer, Kathy OBrien, urges Steve to take his situation seriously because this crime could put him in jail for twenty years or more. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. $24.99 But Africans were still human and had their morals, yet the Europeans saw them as a type of monster during the slave trade era. In the follow-up to his first book, Satan in America, Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. If it bleeds, it reads. A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening angle of vision to a persistent and compelling American desire to be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific. Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. I appreciated that in this second edition he shows how our language of the monstrous has played a role in instances like the police shootings of unarmed black people and how visions of dread play into Donald Trump's rhetoric. Discount, Discount Code If you view everything that has happened in the last ten thousand years as an atrocity committed by (American) White Anglo-Saxon Protestant men against the wide-eyed, helpless, innocent (and rather stupid) non-male/non-white world in a concerted race (or gender where convenient) war and stolidly ignore all contrary evidence, the world is full of monsters. Free trial is available to new customers only. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Not only do they continue to live in our midst, but, as historian Scott Poole shows, these monsters are an important part of our pasta hideous obsession America cannot seem to escape.Pooles central argument in Monsters in America is that monster tales intertwine with Americas troubled history of racism, politics, class struggle, and gender inequality. Monster is a 1999 young adult novel by Walter Dean Myers. What I discovered is that Poole should have written two books: his perspective on American history, another on monsters. Alien invasions prompt the authors apt comment, The otherness of the monster can embody the sum of all fears but also an escape from fear (131). Copyright 2023 That's What She Read. Pooles constant harangue against anything conservative is a thin criticism to begin, stretched beyond any semblance of recognition by the end of the book. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! on 50-99 accounts. Satan in America tells the story of America's complicated relationship with the devil. It is lively and engaging and well researched. W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where he teaches courses on monsters, pop culture, and American history. The defense rests after Sawickis testimony. The State rests its case. I suppose history could be read into just about any object. While Poole is an academic his book is anything but dry. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Associated with war, cleverness, and wit, it is no surprise that she favors Odysseus. Mark Eckel is Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Old Testament at Crossroads Bible College. In fact, perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most., I've had a question for a long time. Wright Books An Introductory Reading Guide to The Theologians Work, Joy Harjo Poems Five of the Best Poems by the US Poet Laureate, John ODonohue Poems Four of our Favorites. The strongest witness for the State is Richard Bobo Evans, who admits that he took part in the robbery. for a customized plan. Its not a salacious book, either. 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Vampira) to explore the history of American sexuality, gender relations and the rebirth of the horror film in post-WW2 America. Poole states that, in actuality, that the Europeans saw the natives as uncivilized people and even believed them to be monsters. In "Monstrous beginnings," the introductory chapter of "Monsters in America: Our Historical, Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting" by W. Scott Poole, the author makes an argument, about how monsters were not only used as entertainment, but were also used as an excuse to, justify the offenses done to the Native Americans as well as the slaves brought from Africa by, the European settlers. Another witness testifies that King is left-handed. Just about all the scarey things that crawl into popular media hail from the leaf-littered shadowy forests that haunt the American mind. Want 100 or more? Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. For Poole Halloween means more trick than treat; we discover that the monsters are us. More than mere metaphors, they are creations of human fears and human ignorance. While real monsters do exist, the reality of our own monstrosities mirrors not a national heritage as much as our human heritage. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. I had to read this for a class (one I wasn't too stoked about, if I'm being honest) and went into it with a pretty closed mind. The book reflects on the. It was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. In her closing argument for the State, Petrocelli stresses the importance of the stolen cigarettes in proving who committed the crime. Excellent examination of horror movies evolution through the years and also how societal happenings influence the movies at the time they are made. It is a frightening world we live in, yet the horrific things in our literature and culture play a vital part in helping us reach some understanding, and even some peace about them. Eastern Orthodoxy Essential Books [A Reading List]. Sales Date: 2018-07-13. It blends popular culture and American history to present a unique perspective oh why and how we create and perpetuate the monsters we fear most. Indians, the physically disabled, African-Americans, deep-sea animals or mammals, science is a powerful motivator and caused society to vilify those that do not fit the acceptable mold. Reprinted by permission. I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love the notion behind this book. Solely focused on the horrors, readers would think that no Christian or church stood against the aberration of Scriptural teaching; but such was the case with missionaries and abolitionists. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. Synopsis: From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. A.Slavery B.States' rights C.Internal improvements D.Westward expansion. 335 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous other not only reflects societys fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts.. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster. In his comments on the 1931 "Frankenstein" W. Scott Poole, relates that the idea of the "abnormal brain" that Fritz grabs for Henry Frankenstein being the cause of the monster's murderous mentality being a reflection of the "scientific rascism" of the day. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. With Monsters in America, W. Scott Poole has given us a guidebook for a journey into nightmare territory. Free trial is available to new customers only. From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. Perhaps monsters are made in our society more purposefully than we realize. Just watch any local news program and you'll see what I mean. SparkNotes PLUS Both belief about the supernatural and the supernatural itself creates creatures which slither into our thinking-being-behaving. Especially enlightening is the the animistic portrayal and subsequent fear of African-Americans that has permeated society since they were first brought to the Americas on slave ships. Bolden testifies that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans and that Evans told him about the robbery. Numerous scholars explore the cultural and political implications of monster and horror films for the times from which they emerge. Few scholars connect such implications across broader expanses of time to reveal how intrinsically monsters and the horrific have been bound up in the history of America. I found it informative, fascinating, thought-provoking and well-written. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. (Greg Garrett, Faithful Citizenship blogger and author of, One Fine Potion: The Literary Magic of Harry Potter, (John David Smith, Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte), W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. Available I wasn't ready for the overtly sociological approach of the book, and was expecting a history, as alluded to in the title of the book. For Professors: Exam Copies. In the follow-up to his first book, Satan in America, Poole has now turned his attention to the monsters that inhabit American cinema and American imaginations. 1945-1960 2.) He decides to make a movie about his experience. He reminds the jury of the witnesses criminal records and contends that their unreliability casts reasonable doubt on Kings guilt. Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous "other" not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. . Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. In the follow-up to his first book. Wed love to have you back! Poole explains his parameters of a monsters nature from the outside, in: monsters are a product of our collective hatreds outside the human psyche. By so delimiting his interpretation, Poole mirrors his stated concern for other theories that monster interpretations are reductive and overdeterminative (13-18). However, at times the overt political messages can be more aggressive than effective, the book frequently covers more breadth than depth, and I was left without a clear sense of how monsters in America (US, presumably, rather than hemispheric) differed from those in international nightmares--or how the globalization of monster culture influenced American culture. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. The Monster argues that his murderousness is not his fault. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Monsters in America (2nd ed.) The book won the John Cawelti prize from the Popular Culture Association for the best book published in pop culture history for 2011. Steve also states that he was not at the drugstore on the day of the crime but was walking around thinking about his movie. Poole has set the bar ridiculously high for any future research exploring the locus of historical and cultural studies, particularly as it pertains to the horrific. challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, as well as the seeming ubiquity of the monsters of our past and probable future. Monsters highlight both the positives and negatives in any society, and as such, require the reader to open ones mind and accept that the history taught in history books may not be the truth. In Monster, Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon's trial. But a third interpretive option exists. Whats worse is how these monster images exist even until today. All affiliate income is used to support the blog. [Pooles] book is sufficiently clear and engaging for general readers to enjoy and would make a worthwhile addition to undergraduate course in American history or culture. Books About Race in America; Coretta Scott . Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous "other" not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts. Date. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. The new edition extends this analysis to shed light on some of the darker developments in recent American political culture. Hes never less than canny on the pop culture angle: Dracula and Frankenstein are almost everywhere in the book, his insights into the fear of zombies are sharp, the comparison of Patrick Bateman and Dexter Morgan is inspired, and the analysis of fifties icons like Vampira and the Addams family are very good. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! And I don't have to mention the meaning of all the zombie movies. by W. Scott Poole. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. Poole wants to tell a story and take his readers on a journey, and he definitely does so. Poole argues that "Monstrous metaphors in American historical life have a way of becoming realthey are intertwined with attitudes and social structures that make the monster possible. Poole invites us into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, conversation about the very real monsters that inhabit the dark spaces of America's past. For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. During the robbery, Aguinaldo Nesbitt, the fifty-five-year-old owner of the store, was killed. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. But honestly, most folks go to horror films for what they would say is the hell of it. Some people enjoy being scared, period. (Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). Briggs makes the first closing argument in the case. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Author: W. Scott Poole Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books ): "Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. Contact us Its a story that begins with the history of the dark lady of late night horror and branches out into a discussion of the Beats, Bebop Jazz, the birth of rock and roll and the social protest movements of the 1960s. Continue to start your free trial. Enter your email address to subscribe to That's What She Read and receive notifications of new posts by email. Five months later, Steve is again writing in his notebook. ", Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. It's organized well also: a chapter on one specific type of monster and era makes for a really focused and easy to digest historical examination. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. Learn how your comment data is processed. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. A monster, in most cases, is something that challenges human morality or customs, or rather, a single group of people's moralities. Please wait while we process your payment. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Baylor University Press (January 15, 2014). Steve testifies that he did not take part in the drugstore robbery or discuss it with anyone before it happened. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Dont have an account? The Monster feels completely alienated: "none among the myriads of men" will take pity on him.

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